News Interest Index: Public Stays Focused on the Economy

Americans followed reports about the U.S. economy more closely than other major stories last week as President Obama pushed for new restrictions on the credit card industry and automakers announced plans to cut ties with some 1,900 dealerships nationwide.

More than four-in-ten (44%) say they followed economic news very closely, according to the latest weekly News Interest Index survey, conducted May 15-18 by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. For close to three-in-ten (28%), this was the story they followed more closely than any other.

Meanwhile, two-thirds of the public (67%) say they heard a lot about the plans announced by General Motors and Chrysler to each close hundreds of dealerships in their bids to become more efficient and profitable. The closings will hit communities across the country, many already hurting because of the lengthy recession.

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